Clutch



S. O. WHBTE Aug. 7, 1923.

CLUTCH Filed Feb.` 28 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,Sam wel@ Aug. 7, w23.31,464.48@

, S. O. WHV'E CLUTCH Filed Feb. 28 1920 2 sheets-sheet 2 Saw,

@Rowww Patented Amig. 7, 1923.

UWE@ STS garant arca.

SAM'UED 0. WHITE, OF 'MUNCIE INDIANA, ASSIGNOR T0 WARNER GEAR COMPANY,

OF MUNCIE, INDIANA, A CORPORATION F INDIANA.

CLUTCH.

Application led February 28, 1920. Serial No. 361,916.

To all 'whom z'tlmay concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL 0. WHITE, a

citizen of the United- States, residing atl with a standard type of flywheel, whichv permits the relative sliding of the parts with easewithout the necessity for the loose fits which are so often required .insingleplate clutches, and in which (in the preferred form) the drivingmembers ofthe clutch are driven from the rear cover plate withoutrequiring any direct connection with the fly wheel proper save as suchcover plate is attached to the fly wheel.v

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention. Fig. 1 is a singlelongitudinal section through a clutch embodyingmy'invention, with thefly wheel and some other associated parts indicated in broken lines,being taken substantially on the line 1--1 of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 isatranverse section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is' a rearelevation of the clutch, with the cover plate partly broken away, toshow a somewhat diderent driving arrangement for the driving membersfrom that shown in Figs.y

.1 and 2; Figs. 4 is an enlarged detail section o on the line 4-4 ofFig. 3; andV Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4, but showinga modification. The Hy wheel 10 is of a standard type, havingarearwardly projecting annulus 11 which surrounds the various clutchparts,

and also having a suitable bearing 12 supporting the forward end of thedriven shaft 13. This is standard.

A drum 14isY keyed on ,a tapered portion 5@ 15 of the drivenl shaft13,.near thef'orward end of the latter, and is. provided with ex'-ternal gear teeth 16 which serve as splines interfitting with internalgear teeth cut on annulardriven plates 17 of sheet metal; M Figs. 1 and4 show two driven plates, and

Fig. 5 shows three. The drum 14 is of large diameter, in comparison withthe shaft 13, and because `of that and of the number of gear teeth thepressure on each gear tooth spline is made relatively small and relativesliding may easily be obtained without the necessity for an unduly loosefit. Between each two adjacent driven plates 17 is a driving plate 18,also annular and of sheet metal, theinner edge of the driving plate 18being clear of the teeth 16; Figs. 1 and 4 show one such driving plate,and Fig."5 shows two. The outer edge of the driving plate 18, or of eachdriving plate if there are more than one, is provided with external gearteeth which serve as splines interfitting with internal gear teeth 19 ona forwardly projecting annular rim 20 from a pressure plate 21 slidableaxially within the annulus 11 of the fly wheel 10 and having suitableguiding bearings on the inner face of such annulus. Friction facings ormats 22 are located on both sides of each driven plate 17, between such.plate and the adjacent members; which latter are w the 'fly wheelproper, the driving plate 18, and the pressure disk 21. These frictionfacings are most convenientlv riveted to the driven plates 17 againstwhich they abut, but this is not necessary. There is a double layer offriction facing between the forward driven disk 17 and the fly wheel 10,both facings being riveted to such driven disk. This is. to space suchdriven disk far enough away from the iiy wheel to give lplenty ofclearance so that there will be no opportunity for the forward drivendisk to drop offA the forward end of the drum 14 in the event ofconsiderable wear on the facings.

Bolted to the rear edge of the annulns 11 95 is a cover plate 25,between which and the pressure plate 21 are located a circular series ofcoiled compression springs 26 which tend to push .the pressure plate 21forward to clamp the fly-wheel, pressure pla-te, driving disk or disks,and driven disks all togetherin other words. to set the clutch. In orderto release the clutch, the pressure plate 21 has three .rearwardlyextending ears 27, on which are pivoted retracting levers 28, which arecurved as shown in Fig. 2 and at their inner ends are provided withinward projections 29 (which may be rollers) located in the groove 30 ofan axially shiftable sleeve 31 supported in suitable bearings'at thevcein- 110 clutch. yoke 33 thus moves the inner ends of the retractinglevers 28. These retracting leversalso have outwardly projecting fingers34, projecting outward beyond the pivotal support lin the ears .27.These lingers 34 bear against the rear faces of the notchedy .abutmentplates 35 which are set `inv'circum- ,erential grooves 36 in adjustingscrews 37 mounted and projecting rearwardly from the cover plate 25. Byturning these screws 37 the abutment plates 35 may be adjusted 4 towardand from the cover plate 25, topadjust the clutch. Each abutment plateis independently adjustable, by its individuall screw 37..a With thisarrangement, the depressing of the'clutchv pedal moves the inner ends ofthe .retracting-levers 28 toward the rear, and the fingers 34 arefulcrumed on the :ibutment plates 35 so that such rearward movement alsoproduces a rearward movement of the pressure plate 21 to release theclutch. This movement of the pressure plate. 21 is a positive movement,against the 4springs 26, and is not the mere releasing of the springpressure.

The pressure plate21 is preferably driven from the cover plate 25,though for certain ,features of my invention this is not `necessary andthe pressure plate may be driven otherwise to rotate with the fly wheeland is axially movable relatively thereto.y I show two ways of' doingthis. In the arrangement shown in Fig.I 1, the adjusting screws" 37project forwardly beyond the abutment plates 35 andlinto registeringholes in the rear face of the pressure plate 21, such plate beingprovided with bosses 40 at such holes if desired. These holes 40 are ata considerable distance fromthe axis, and it is possible to have afairly accurate fit without causing binding. vWith this arrangement the-fiy wheel 10 drivesthe cover plate 25 through the bolts interconnectingthem, the cover plate carries the adjustingscrews 37 around with it andthe fly wheel, and the forward ends of the screws 37 drive the pressureplate 21, The pressure plate in turn drives the driving plate or plates18, through the gear-teeth splines 19.

ln the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, the pressure plate 21 has holes 41corresponding to the holes/40 in the other arrangement, but

` located circumferentially at intermediate points between the ad'ustingscrews. These oles 41 are provide in rather long rearwardly extendingbosses 42, and receive rather large diameter pins 43 which are set inforwardly projecting bosses 44 in the. cover plate 25. The pins 43 arepreferably` shouldered pins, with their langer ends foru ward, toprevent them lfrom dropping out in recense case they become loose fromheating of the clutch. With this arrangement, as in the other, thepressure plate 21 is thus driven by forwardly projecting pins carried bythe cover plate 25, but here these driving pins are separate from theadjusting screws.

" l claim as my invention:

1. In a clutch, the combination of a drivin member, a driven shaft, adrum yfixed on said shaft, two annular driven plates having a `splinedmounting on'the exterior of said drum, an annular driving plate locatedbetween the two driven plates, a pressure plate between ,which and saiddriving member the driving and driven plates are located with the drivenplates in power-transmitting j uxsaid-shaft, an annular drivingplatelocated between the two driven plates, a pressure plate between whichand said driving meiner the driving anddriven plates are located withthe driven plates in power-transmitting juxtaposition to the pressureplate and to the driving member respectively, said pressure plate beinprovided with a projecting rim within which said driving plate has asplined mounting, and means for driving said pressure plate from saiddriving member, said pressure plate being shimisle axially relatively tothe driving member t0 control the setting and releasing of the clutch.

3. In a clutch, the combination of a drivingl member, a driven shaft, adrum fixed on said shaft, two annular driven plates having a splinedmounting on the exterior of said drum, an annular driving plate locatedbetween the two driven plates, a pressure plate ics between which andsaid driving member the driving and driven plates are located with thedriven plates in power-transmitting juxtaposition to the pressure plate`and to the driving member respectively, said; pressure plate beingprovided with a project ing rim within which said driving plate has asplined mounting, means for driving said pressure plate from saiddriving member, said pressure plate being lshitableA means for mvngfsadpressure plate in the e 'incassa to said shaft, an annular driving platelocated between the two driven lplates, a ressure plate between which land said driving member the driving and driven plates are located withthe driven plate in powertransmitting juxtaposition to the pressureplate and to the driving member respectively, said pressure plate beingprovided with a projecting rim within which said drivin late has asplined mounting, means for driving said pressure plate from saiddriving member, said pressureplate being shiftable axially relativelytothe driving member to control the setting and releasing of the clutch,spring means tending move thev pressure plate to clamp the driving anddriven plates lbetween the pressure plate and the driving vmember to setthe clutch, and means for moving said pressure plate in the voppositedirection against said spring means to release the clutch.

5. ln a clutch, the combination of a driving member having an axiallyprojected annulus, adriven shaft, a drum j xed on said shalt within saidannulus, a plurality ofy plates surrounding sai-d drum comprising drivinand driven plates '-alternately arrange said driven plates' having asplined mounting on the exterior otsaid drum, a pressure plate alsolocated within said an'- nuhis, said pressure plate having a rim inwhich said driving plates have a splined mounting and being movable'axially within said annulus to set and release the clutch, a

cover plate' mounted on said annulus, and a driving connection betweensaid cover plate and said pressure plate. j

d. lin a clutch, the combination of a driving member having an axiallyprojecting annulus, 'a driven shaft, a drum xed on said shaft withinsaid annulus, two driven plates having a splined mounting on theexterior of said drum, la driving plate located between the two drivenplates, a pressure plate also located within said annulus, said pressureplate having a rim in which said driving plate has a splined mountingand bein' movable axiallywithin said annulus to se and release theclutch, a cover plate mounted on said annulus, and a driving connectionbetween said cover plate and said pressure plate.

j 7'. ln a clutch, thecombinaton of a driving member having iin-axiallyprojecting annulus, a driven shaft, two drivenplates vhaving a splinedconnection to said shaft, a driving plate located between the two drivenplates, a pressure plate also located within said annulus,.said pressureplate having a rim in which said driving plate has a splined .a driving-connection between said plate,

mounting and being movable axially'- within',

said annulus to se't 'and release the clutch, 'a cover plate mounted onsaid annulu's, and cover plate and said pressure plate.

8. ln a clutch, the combination of a driv ing -member having an axiallyprojecting annulus, a driven shaft, a drum fixed on' saidshaftwithinsaid'annulus, two driven plates having a splined mounting onthe exterior of said drum, a drivingl plate located be- Y tween the twodriven plates, a pressure plate also located within said annulus, saidpressure plate having a rim in which said driving plate has a splinedmounting and being movable axially within said annulus to set andrelease the clutch, a cover plate mounted on said annulus, a drivingconnection be'- tween said cover plateand said pressure l plate, springmeans acting between said cover plate and said pressure'plate to movethe latter-tol set .the clutch, and means for moving the pressure plateagainst the action of said spring means to release the clutch.

9. ln a clutch, the combination of a driving member having an axiallyprojecting annulus', a driven shaft, two driven plates having a splinedconnection to said shaft, 'a driving plate located between'the twodriven plates, a pressure plate also located within said annulus, saidpressure plate having a rim in which said driving plate has a splinedmounting and being movable axially within said annulus to set andvrelease the clutch, a cover plate mount/ed on said annulus, a drivingconnection between said cover plate and said pressure plate, springmeans acting between said cover plate and said pressure plate to movethe latter to set they clutch, and means' ror moving the pressure plateagainst the action of said spring means to release the clutch. l0. lin aclutch, the combination of a driving member having anaxially projectingannulus, a driven shaft, a driven plate having a splined connection withsaid shaft and located withinsaid annulus, a pressure plate locatedwithin said annulus and between which and said driving member saiddriven .plate is located, a cover plate attached to mid annulus, anadjustable driving connection between' said cover plate and saidpressure said connection permitting axial slidingo said pressure plate,an operating lever for said pressure plate fulcrumed on said lll@ lid

driving connection and adjustable therewith.

l1. In a clutch, the combination of a driving member having anaxiallyprojecting annulus, a driven shaft, a driven plate having a vSplinedconnection to lsaid shaft and located within said annulus, a pressureplate located. within said annulus and between which .and said drivingmember said driven plate is located, a cover plate attached to saidannulus, adjustable screws -extending lil@ ing

through ,said cover plate and projecting into sockets in said pressureplate and forming a driving'connection between said cover plate andpressure plate, and operating levers for said pressure plate fulcrumedon said screws.

12. Inma clutch, the combination of a driving member, a driven shaft, adriven plate having asplined connection to said shaft, a pressure platebetween which and the drivmember said driven plate is located, a coverplate attached to said driving member, adjustable screws extendingthrough said cover plate and socketing in said pressure plate, andoperating levers for said pressure plate fulcruming on said screws.

13. In a clutch, the combination of a driving member, a driven shaft, adriven plate having a splined connection with said shaft, a pressureplate between which and said driving member said driven late is located,a cover plate attached to sai driving member, pins extending throughsaid cover plate and engaging said pressure plate, means for adjustingsaid` pins without affecting the axial movement of said pressure plate,and

operating levers for said pressure plate fulcrumed on said pins.

14. In a clutch, the combination of a driving member, a driven shaft,two annular driven plates having a splined connection to said shaft, anannular driving plate located between the two driven plates, a pres-.sure plate between which and said driving member the driving and drivenplates are located withthe driven plates in powertransmittingjuxtaposition to the pressure plate and to the driving memberrespectively, said pressure plate being provided with` a projectingmember within which said driving plate has a splined mounting, and meansfor driving said pressure plate from said driving" member, said pressureplate being shiftable axially relatively to the driving member tocontrol the setting and releasing of the clutch,

15'. In a clutch, the combination of a driving member, a driven shaft,two annular driven plates having a splined connection to said shaft, anannular driving plate located between the two driven plates, a pressureplate between which and said driving member the driving and drivenplates are located with the driven plates in powertransmittingjuxtaposition to the pressure plate and to the driving memberrespectively, said pressure plate being provided -with a projectingmember within which said driving plate has a splined mounting, meansfor` drlving said pressure plate from said driving member, said pressureplate being 'shiftable axially relatively. to the driving member tocontrol the setting and releasing of the clutch, spring means tending tomove the pressure plate to clamp the driving and driven platesbetweenthe pressure plate and the driving member to set the clutch,y and meansfor moving said pressure plate in the opposite direction against saidspring means to release the clutch.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Muncie, lndiana, thistwentyfifth day of February, A.. D. one thousand nine hundred andtwenty.

SAMUEL O. VVHIITE.

